A remodel is an exciting time for a homeowner. You’re making a big change to your house and allowing a certain amount of disruption into your daily routine while the project is being completed. Though we do our best to make the whole process go as smoothly as possible from the first sparks of inspiration to the last sweep up after completion, it is undeniable that this time can be a source of stress for a homeowner.  Taking the usual initial steps will set a strong foundation which can help to keep a project moving along with as few hiccups as possible. These few additional steps should help you and your family to further cope with the changes that are to come.

Have a Plan and Stick to It – The more thorough the plans you’ve made before starting a remodel, the fewer decisions you’ll have to make along the way. Deciding on details before you have a time constraint to pressure you will leave you feeling more confident in your choices and reduce stressful situations in which you have to make a hasty decision or risk slowing the project. As well, once you’re plans have been set try not to make many changes. Too many changes once a project is underway can be costly, both in time and money.

That being said, if some detail is begging for a change that resonates with you, embrace it. Sometimes the process of watching your house undergo so many changes can reveal to your new inspirations and, as long as you keep these to a minimum and the change won’t be too disruptive to what has already been completed, you should pursue this.

Make a plan and stick to it.

Communication – Communicating what you want clearly at the beginning of your remodel is the first step in ensuring a smooth process. But, keeping this line of communication open while work is being done is key in continuing with ease. If you become concerned with some aspect of how things are progressing it is better to discuss these concerns with us as they arise rather than letting them weigh on you in silence and only addressing them once it is too late to reconcile the issue.

A common cause of stress during a remodel comes from a lack of communication with one’s family. It is especially important to keep your significant other up to date on how things are progressing, financially and otherwise. It is also wise to let everyone in your immediate family know what they can expect while work is being done and what they can do individually to help. “We’ll all have to share one bathroom for the time being, so please plan on quicker prep times” is an easier discussion to have than trying to calm tensions between your children once issues arise.

Be Prepared – If you are planning on living in your house while work is being done a little bit of forethought can save you a lot of stress down the line. Knowing that your kitchen or a laundry area won’t be accessible to you for a stretch of time while work is being done you can make arrangements to set up a temporary area to serve as a stand-in. Nothing is worse than waking up on that first morning in need of a cup of coffee and realizing that you no longer have an accessible coffee machine.

Being prepared can make everything much more manageable.

Pets – Just as you put extensive thought and effort into keeping your family comfortable during the remodeling process you should also consider the comfort of your pets during this time. While smaller pets confined to cages and tanks may be easy enough to move to another room, a dog or cat may have a harder time coping with the construction process. Things can get loud and people that your pets are not familiar with will be coming and going. If you have a pet that is not comfortable with strangers it can become stressful for them to be loose during working hours. Even if your dog or cat is very friendly it can be a safety issue, for animal and human alike, to have them freely wandering through the work area and wanting to interact with people who may be working with dangerous or heavy equipment. Even the simple act of a dog or cat walking through the area that is being worked in can result in such things as a nail in a foot, a head/body injury, or an electrical shock.

Setting up an area for your pet in which they are safely contained and made to feel secure is a great idea to ensure their safety. It may be an even better idea to make other arrangements for your pet during the remodel. Can they stay with a family member or friend in town? Perhaps boarding them during the process would be the best plan. Whatever you choice for keeping your pet happy, they’ll benefit from you considering their safety before things get underway.

Neighbors – There are aspects of remodeling that may prove bothersome or disruptive to neighbors in addition to oneself – this is especially important if you’re living in a townhome or apartment setting. Starting out by letting your neighbors know your plans and offering to hear any concerns during the process is a considerate thing to do. Let them know if they should expect heavy machinery traffic, a lot of outdoor noise, a dumpster on the street or other such inconveniences. You may wish to express your regret at any disruptions and let them know that you appreciate their being patient and understanding of the process. Your neighbors will appreciate that you considered them and be glad to be aware of what they can expect.

Notify your neighbors of your upcoming remodel

Hopefully, these steps will help you in diminishing any stresses that may happen when you’re thinking about doing a custom remodel. Some of these tips can be easily applied to your custom home build, too! There are so many things to consider, but at Buena Vista Builders, we want to be able to make this process seamless and easy. We hope to keep your experience a positive one from start to finish.

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